Non-Profit Board Chair - Where Should I Start?

I’m considering becoming the Chair of our non-profit’s board. Where should I start?

A board chair’s role is wide ranging, and even experienced Chairs have to spend time figuring out the needs of the organization, the leadership style needed right now, and what you are able to personally commit to the role.

To find out the current needs of the organization, the Chair should ask questions of the Executive Director, the Treasurer, Past Chair, Governance Committee Chair, and major donors, funders and stakeholders.

Questions to ask the Past Chair:

1. What is the time commitment?

2. What recent challenges has the board faced?

3. What unfinished business currently exists?

4. How is the strategic plan incorporated into the Chair’s duties?

How do you communicate with the Executive Director, board, community leaders, donors, and stakeholders?

Questions to ask the Executive Director:

1.  What are the current expectations of the board chair?

2.  What are your personal goals?

3.  What operational plans currently exist?

Questions to ask the Governance Committee Chair:

1. What board skills and attributes will be needed going forward?

2. When will the board member terms be completed?

3. How has the board recruitment been going?

Questions to ask the Treasurer:

1. Are there any cash flow issues throughout the year?

2. Are there any financial projections?

3. What funding trends exist?

4. What financial challenges has the board had in the past year?

Questions to ask major donors, funders, and stakeholders:

1. What community perceptions of the nonprofit currently exist?

2. What external resources has the nonprofit leveraged in the past?

3. What impact does this nonprofit have on external organizations?

4. What community issues may affect the nonprofit going forward?